A strong historical romance that combines diverse experiences with classic storytelling.
A composer finds his muse on the other side of the Thames.
Georgina Wilcox, second-eldest daughter of a wealthy coal magnate, has gotten herself in a bit of trouble. In an impulsive moment, she kissed a man she barely knows in a garden that wasn’t as private as she thought, and now she’s in danger of being ruined. This isn’t as troubling for the man she kissed, Lord Mark Sebastian, a marquess’ “spare’s spare.” His primary passion and struggle in life have always been composing music, and after Georgie inspires him in more ways than one, he wonders if she could be his muse. Despite this, he doesn’t want her to be forced into marriage, so both agree to a convoluted plan to pretend to be engaged while he serves as her music teacher and then allows her to throw him over for a more advantageous match. Though the plan is proposed by the Duke of Torrance—who has a mysterious history with Georgie’s widowed sister, Lady Hampton—it can’t fully protect her from the gossip mill. Rumors start spreading about Georgie and Mark, most focused on the fact that Mark is a white nobleman and Georgie is a “Blackamoor woman” whose father was a man of trade, not title. When their fake betrothal starts to lead to complicated romantic feelings for both of them, the threats intimated by the rumors start to feel all too real. The first in a new series from Riley builds on her reputation for depicting authentic diversity in the Regency era, including depictions of sickle cell anemia and its devastating impact, as well as the complicated experience of Black Russians in London society. Though Georgie and Mark have chemistry, their encounters are relatively chaste, which combined with a traditional writing style gives the story a pleasingly retro feel even as it broadens representation in the genre. The early chapters are a jumble and the plot feels disjointed at times, but when the book hits its stride, it’s a satisfying story that also lays out a promising setting for future entries.
A strong historical romance that combines diverse experiences with classic storytelling.Pub Date: May 21, 2024
ISBN: 9781420154856
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Zebra/Kensington
Review Posted Online: April 22, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.
A blossoming romance infringes on a successful businesswoman's professional aspirations, making her reevaluate her priorities.
At an exclusive party, talent manager Hendrix Barry has an instant connection with billionaire tech mogul Maverick Bell. When he learns that she’s navigating her mother’s Alzheimer's diagnosis, he relates to what she’s going through, having had similar experiences with his grandfather. Maverick makes Hendrix feel seen and understood like no one else, but he’s the recent ex-boyfriend of a woman Hendrix is going into business with as she works toward her goal of executive producing a television show. She tries to set boundaries that would keep him as a friend despite their obvious mutual attraction, but when he expresses interest in her venture capital fund focusing on Black women–led businesses, it leads to spending more time together, and the lines of friendship, business, and pleasure become tangled and blurred. Ryan excels at crafting thoughtful, mature characters who have to manage complicated situations with care and grace. Maverick’s dogged pursuit of Hendrix and the delicious ways he woos her using his wealth and persistence frame him as a determined, headstrong hero. Paired with a weaker heroine, he could have been overbearing, but Hendrix is his perfect match, equally as strong-willed and tenacious. They bring out each other’s softer, more vulnerable sides as well, and both have compassionate hearts. The spicy romance is the core of this satisfying story, but the novel doesn’t shy away from—and is made richer for the inclusion of—hardships like caring for an aging parent and confronting racism in the world of business. The tale also highlights the importance of community and the value of supportive, platonic love through the wonderful cast of side characters.
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781538706855
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: yesterday
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.
Two people with bad luck in relationships find each other through a popular Reddit thread.
Emma Grant and her best friend, Maddy, are travel nurses, working at hospitals for three-month stints while they see the country. Just a few weeks before they’re set to move to Hawaii, Emma reads a popular “Am I the Asshole” Reddit thread from a Minnesota man who thinks he’s cursed—women he dates find their soulmates after breaking up with him, and the latest one found true love with his best friend! Emma has had a similar experience, which inspires her to DM the man and commiserate. She’s delighted by her witty, lively interactions with software engineer Justin Dahl, and is intrigued when he suggests that if they date each other, maybe they’ll each find their soulmate afterward. Emma upends the Hawaii plan and convinces Maddy to move to Minneapolis for the summer so she can meet Justin in person. The overly complex setup brings Emma and Justin together and the two hit it off, with Justin immediately falling head over heels for Emma. Jimenez then pivots to creating romantic roadblocks and melodramatic subplots centering on each character’s family of origin. Justin’s mother is about to serve six years in prison for embezzlement, which means Justin must move back home to care for his three much younger siblings. Emma was traumatized by her own mother for much of her childhood, left to fend for herself and eventually abandoned in the foster system. When her mother shows up in Minnesota, Emma must face her traumatic childhood and admit that she has prioritized her mother’s well-being over her own. There is little time devoted to Emma’s painful efforts to heal herself enough to accept Justin’s love, which leaves the novel feeling unsatisfying.
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781538704431
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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